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Peru in 2016: A Calendar of Festivals, Concerts and Other Events

Last updated: 13th March, 2017

So what’s happening in Peru in 2016? Well, quite a lot, as always. Below you’ll find most of the major events taking place across the country this year, including everything from national holidays to regional religious festivals, ritual battles, and music concerts (listed in grey italics).

If you’re interested in a particular event, please double check the dates and other details in advance – I try my hardest to keep this calendar up-to-date and accurate, but that’s sometimes easier said than done (if you do spot an error, please let me know).

Quick Tip: If travelling to or from Lima Airport, it is strongly recommended to use the luxury Airport Express Lima bus to get to or from your hotel. Safer and cheaper than a taxi with no baggage limit as well as Free Wi-Fi and USB chargers onboard, it is ideal for travellers.

Peru in March

John Cale — March 1, Gran Teatro Nacional, Lima: Welsh singer-songwriter and founding member of the Velvet Underground.

We Are One Tour 2016 (Lagwagon, Belvedere, Mute and Adrenalized) — March 5, Centro de Convenciones Festiva, Lima.

Anniversary of the Foundation of Trujillo — March 5

The Rolling Stones — March 6, Estadio Monumental, Lima: The legendary English rock band comes to Lima as part of its Latin America tour, with some of the most expensive tickets ever sold in Peru.

Ica Wine Festival – March 4 to 13: Ica’s wine harvest is celebrated with the Festival Internacional de la Vendimia de Ica. Drink wine, eat local food and watch beauty queens stomping around in vats of grapes. Yep, it’s a perfect day out.

Anniversary of Ayacucho — April 25: Francisco Pizarro founded the settlement of San Juan de la Frontera de Huamanga in 1540; Simón Bolívar later changed the name to Ayacucho in 1825. The anniversary of this historic city features numerous activities, including cultural and sporting events, food fairs, drinking and general revelry.

El Señor de la Justicia — April 25, Ferreñafe, Lambayeque Region: A religious festival in honor of the image of El Señor de la Justicia.

Anniversary of Jauja — April 25, Jauja, Junín Region: Jauja was the first Spanish capital city in Peru and also the location of the country’s first cathedral. Anniversary celebrations last for at least a few days.

Peru in May

Virgin de Chapi — May 1, Arequipa: Thousands of pilgrims walk to the Sanctuary of the Virgin de Chapi, home to one of the most important images of the Virgin Mary in Peru.

Dia de los Trabajadores (Labor Day) — May 1, National Holiday

Fiesta de las Cruces — May (exact dates may vary), typically in highland regions: Religious-types carry crosses between neighboring churches in various parts of Peru. Cusco has the Cruz Velacuy procession in early May; Huancavelica has a cross-related fiesta called the Fiesta del Espíritu Santo (sometime in May); Pasco, Ayacucho, Junín and Puno also celebrate the Fiesta de las Cruces.

Fiesta de Alasitas — May 3, Puno: A bustling market selling alasitas, miniature representations of things that you want in real life.

Señor de Muruhuay — May 3 (may vary), Tarma, Junín Region: A pilgrimage to the Señor de Muruhuay, an image of Christ that appeared on a rock outside Tarma. Pilgrims leave a Carta a Dios, a letter giving thanks to God or asking for a miracle.

Anniversary of Cotahuasi — May 4, Cotahuasi District of La Unión, Arequipa Region: Featuring the holy trinity of bullfights, beer and beauty queens.

SOJA – May 6, Centro de Convenciones Barranco Arena, Lima: Grammy-nominated reggae band from the USA.

The Vamps — May 10, Parque de la Exposición, Lima.

Señor de Torrechayoc — sometime in May, Urubamba, Cusco Region: A festival paying homage to a miraculous cross located in Urubamba, with dancing, drinking and cockfighting.

Homage to the Defenders of Alianza Field — May 26, Tacna: A day of remembrance for those that died at the Battle of Tacna (May 26, 1880) during the War of the Pacific.

The Farm – May 27, Discoteca Cocos, Lince: The not quite so age-resistant Scousers are still playing, it would seem.

Sondor Raymi — June 18 and 19, Andahuaylas, Apurímac Region: Re-enactment of the Chanka origin myth, La Epopeya Chanka (The Chanka Epic). The main event takes place at Pakucha Lake and at the Chanka archaeological site of Sondor.

Festival Folklórico de Raqchi — third Sunday of June, Canchis Province, Cusco Region: A folkloric festival at the Inca archaeological site of Raqchi (Raqch’i, or the Temple of Wiracocha).

Fifth Harmony – June 22, Anfiteatro del Parque de la Exposición: I think they won The X Factor or something.

Noche de San Juan — June 23 and 24, Calana, Pachi and Pocollay Districts, Tacna: The Night of Saint John Includes a nighttime procession through the Valle Viejo (Old Valley).

Chaccu de Vicuñas — June 24 (or thereabouts), Pampa Galeras National Reserve, Ayacucho: A communal vicuña roundup in the Pampa Galeras National Reserve. Locals and tourists help to form a human chain known as chaccu, a herding technique that predates the Incas.

Inti Raymi — June 24, Cusco: The “Festival of the Sun” is one of the most important dates on Cusco’s calendar. The reenactment of the Inca winter solstice ceremony takes place at the Sacsayhuamán archaeological site.

San Juan Festival — June 24, jungle regions of Peru: A major festival throughout the Peruvian jungle.

National Ceviche Day — June 28, Nationwide

Suicidal Tendencies – June 28, venue TBA: More thrash metal from the USA. Seems like limeños love this stuff.

Día de San Pedro y San Pablo — June 29, Nationwide: The festival of Saint Peter and Saint Paul is celebrated to varying extents across Peru, but is best known for its maritime processions.

Festival de Apóstol Santiago — July 24 and 25, mainly in the highlands

Pisco Day — July 26

Sasha Grey – July 27, Discoteca Céntrica del Real Plaza Centro Cívico: I thought I recognized the name… turns out she’s an American actress, model, author, musician and ex-porn star. I assume she’ll just be singing in Lima.

Foals — July 27, C.C. Barranco Arena, Lima.

Anniversary of the Arrival of Austro-German Settlers in Oxapampa — July 24 to 31, Oxapampa Province, Pasco Region: Settled by Austro-German immigrants in the 1850s; the anniversary celebrations highlight the region’s distinct culture and cuisine.

Fiestas de Quillabamba — July 25 to 29, La Convención, Cusco Region: Celebrating the anniversary of La Convención (capital Quillabamba), the largest province in the Cusco region.

Fiesta del Sol — July 27, La Unión, Huánuco Region: A re-enactment of an important Inca festival (similar to Inti Raymi in Cusco) at the Huánuco Pampa archaeological site.

Peruvian Independence Day — July 28, National Holiday

Fiesta del Señor de las Ánimas and Yawar Fiesta– July 28 to August 3, Apurimac Region: The Yawar Fiesta in Cotabambas is a symbolic ritual in which a condor is tied to the back of a bull (read this Colca Canyon trip report for more info).

Día del Rock Peruano 2016 – July 30, Lawn Tennis (Av. Salaverry, in front of the Campo de Marte): A new rock festival created by the people behind Vivo X El Rock, this one is 100% Peruvian rock.

Peru in August

Santísima Cruz de Chalpón — first week of August, Motupe, Lambayeque Region: Religious festival in which the miraculous Cruz de Chalpón (Cross of Chalpón) is carried down from its hilltop to the town of Motupe. Events surrounding the pilgrimage include music festivals, food fairs and Peruvian Paso horse shows.

Nuestra Señora de las Nieves — August 5, central and southern Andes: A religious festival celebrated in Spain, Portugal, Italy and parts of Latin America. In Peru, the festivities are most notable in cities like Cusco, Ayacucho and Junín.

El Guincho – Aug 13, venue TBA: Never heard of him? Nor have I. But he’s Spanish and describes his music as “space-age exotica.” So there you go.

Anniversary of Arequipa — August 15: Founded in 1540 by the Spaniard Garcí Manuel de Carbajal. Festivities begin a week or so before the anniversary, with the famous Corso de la Amistad (Friendship Parade) on August 15.

Virgen de la Asunción — August 15: Celebrated to varying extents in Peru; a major event in Chachapoyas (Amazonas), Cangallo (Ayacucho) and Chacas (Ancash).

Peru in October

Promised Land of Pozuzo Festival — Oct 4 to 8 (dates may vary), Pozuzo, Oxapampa Province, Pasco Region: A celebration of the culture and heritage of the town of Pozuzo, founded in 1859 by colonists from Tyrol (Austria) and Prussia (Germany).

Ciudad Rock – Oct 8, Estadio Monumental: This is only the second edition of the Ciudad Rock festival, but they’ve managed to confirm Iggy Pop, which is quite impressive.

Battle of Angamos — Oct 8, National Holiday: Anniversary of the naval confrontation between Chile and Peru during the War of the Pacific. One of Peru’s greatest heroes, Admiral Miguel Grau, died during the engagement in 1879.

El Señor de los Milagros — second half of October, Lima: The largest religious congregation in South America, with processions through the streets of Lima in honor of a miraculous image of Christ known as El Señor de los Milagros (Lord of Miracles).

Señor de Luren — third Monday in October, Ica: An annual procession of the wooden image of the Señor de Luren (patron saint of Ica), carried through the streets of the city.

Día de la Canción Criolla — Oct 31: A national day in honor of música criolla. Expect performances in restaurants and music venues across the country.

Halloween — Oct 31: Halloween isn’t a major event in Peru, but each year there are more and more pumpkins, themed parties and costumed kids to be seen on October 31, especially in the big cities.

The Peruvian ship Huascar attacks a Chilean ship during the Battle of Angamos.

Peru in November

Día de Todos los Santos (All Saints’ Day) — Nov 1, National Holiday

Día de los Difuntos (All Souls’ Day/Day of the Dead) — Nov 2, nationwide: Families visit the graves of relatives, taking meals, flowers or other gifts to the graveside. The vigil sometimes begins on the night of Día de Todos los Santos and continues until dawn the following day.

Travis – Nov 3, Parque de la Exposición: “Why Does It Always Rain on Meeee?” God, I hated that song.

Pond — Nov 3, C.C. Barranco: Psychedelic rock from Perth, Australia.

Creamfields Perú — Nov 4, Fundo Mamacona: The international Creamfields electronic music festival returns once again to Lima.

Anniversary of Puno — Nov 4: The anniversary of the “Folkloric Capital of Peru,” with a week of events including traditional dances, music, fireworks and a re-enactment of the Inca origin myth (normally on Nov 5).

Courtney Barnett — Nov 10, C.C. Barranco: The quirky singer-songwriter and guitarist from Melbourne, Australia, comes to Lima for the first time.

Pasco Tourist Week — Nov 20 to 29 (variable): The Semana Jubilar y Turistica de Pasco includes plenty of dancing and drinking, as well as the annual marathon, which is said to be the highest marathon in the world (but it’s not one of the confirmed world records from Peru).

Peru in December

Chris Cornell — Dec 2, Huaca Pucllana: Former Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell comes to Lima as part of his Higher Truth tour, with a set at the Huaca Pucllana archaeological site. Sounds good.

Immaculate Conception — Dec 8, National Holiday: The Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary is a national holiday in Peru.

Tribute to American Liberty — Dec 9, Ayacucho: At the Battle of Ayacucho on December 9, 1824, allied patriot forces gained a vital victory in their struggle for independence from Spain. Annual festivities take place across the Ayacucho region to mark the historic event.

New Order — Dec 10, Parque de la Exposición: English rock/synth pop band from the Eighties.

Virgen de la Puerta — Dec 12 to 15, Otuzco, La Libertad Region: A procession of the miraculous statue of the Virgen de la Puerta (Virgin of the Gate) through the streets of Otuzco, a town a couple of hours east of Trujillo.

Santuranticuy — Dec 24, Cusco: An annual market held on Cusco’s main square, selling nativity scenes and other festive or religious items crafted by artisans from across Peru.

Christmas Eve — Dec 24: Christmas in Peru is all about December 24 and the Noche Buena (the “Good Night”). Families stay up until midnight to celebrate, eating a late-night Christmas feast and opening their gifts.

Christmas Day — Dec 25, National holiday: December 25 normally gets off to a sleepy start as people struggle to recover from hangovers, and remains reasonably quiet throughout much of the day.

Danza de Tijeras Festival — Dec 24 to 27 (dates may vary), Huancavelica: A gathering of Peru’s most talented scissor dancers for the annual Danza de Tijeras Festival in Huancavelica.